Stalemate was the outcome of the Euro Super League as Scotland’s wheelchair curlers and their European rivals all ended with identical records, however British Curling’s Paralympic Head Coach Sheila Swan was in no doubt that the event had been hugely beneficial.
Scotland, the Czech Republic, Norway and Sweden all won three and lost three of their six matches, but the timing was a key consideration since this was the host nation’s last competitive opportunity ahead of selection for the forthcoming World Wheelchair Championships, while both Scotland and England had the chance to field teams in a mixed doubles training competition.
“There is a huge need for more wheelchair curling Tour events and we are incredibly fortunate that we can utilise the National Curling Academy and provide championship ice conditions for international events like this,” said Swan, after watching her team finish their weekend claiming an extra end 6-5 victory over Norway.
“The inclusion of the mixed doubles discipline for the first time at Milan Cortina, provides us all with another great medal opportunity as well as the challenge of preparing players for that Championship in 2026, so running two disciplines in parallel this weekend has I believe been useful to all concerned.
“We always enjoy competing with the best in Europe and for the Scotland players this weekend has given us an ideal opportunity to look at player combinations for both World Wheelchair Curling events coming up, so it has been timely ahead of those selections at the end of this month.
“It was incredibly encouraging to have new faces from our Paralympic Performance Foundation squad enjoying the mixed doubles competition training event competing for England and Scotland, demonstrating what exciting prospects we have coming through our pathway for consideration for 2026 and beyond.”
This year’s World Wheelchair Curling Championships will see the team event take place from March 2-9 and the mixed doubles from March 10-16 at the Gangneung Curling Centre, South Korea, the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics as well as this year’s Winter Youth Olympics which are currently underway.
Final standings:
|
Team Event |
|||
|
Team |
Played |
W |
L |
|
CZE |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
SCO |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
NOR |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
SWE |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
Mixed Doubles Event |
|||
|
Team |
Played |
W |
L |
|
ENG |
6 |
3 |
3 |
|
MXD |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
SCO 1 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
|
SCO 2 |
6 |
1 |
5 |
